Enjoy Wine, Food, and Travel with Karl MyWinePal
February 5, 2019 is the Chinese New Year of the Brown Earth Pig. In Chinese culture, pigs are the symbol of wealth. 2019 is supposed to be a great year to make money, and a good year to invest. According to chinesenewyear.net, “Pigs might not stand out in a crowd. But they are very realistic. Others may be all talk…
This is Part 2 of my top rated wines for 2018. I earlier released my list of 40 white and sparkling wines for 2018, which you can read at this link. This red wine list came from Trade tastings with agents and BC VQA wineries, the Vancouver International Wine Festival, visits to wineries, and personal purchases. I categorized the wines below to…
One of the perks of being a wine writer is an invitation to a portfolio tasting from a wine agent. The agency can bring out winery principals in some cases, who you can have a chat to about their wines. They also pour wines that are available at regular retail, specialty wine shops, and special orders. Having access to these…
Top Drop is the last major wine tasting in Vancouver before the start of summer. Top Drop is meant to represent the best in terroir and winemaker craft. Nature and Nurture. Wineries from around the world are selected for the best of both, and we were not disappointed. In my 5 star wine rating, most wines were at least 4…
What do you know about the current (2017) statistics about Australian wine? Did you know that the total vineyard area in Australia is 135,133 ha, of which Shiraz accounts for 39,893 ha (30%) and Chardonnay (the largest white variety) cover 21,442 ha (16%)? There are estimated to be 2468 wineries and 6251 grape growers in Australia. Compare that to Canada…
BC’s father daughter team of Harry McWatters and Christa-Lee McWatters-Bond have collaborated to produce two lines of wine lately; Evolve Cellars and McWatters Collection. For me Evolve Cellar’s wines are meant to be young and fresh and easy to drink, while McWatters Collection has more structured wines that you can put in your cellar for many years and enjoy. I…
Why are people so hung up with the 100-point wine scale and the wine they are buying? Do you want to drink 100-point wines every day? Besides the possibility of prohibitive pricing, the wines may be 100-point rated, but may be recommended to age for another 5-10-20 years. Are you willing to wait that long? I have read somewhere that…
It’s wine quiz time! Name a region in the world that is known for their restrained wines made from Chardonnay. Now name a region that besides making Chardonnay, also makes Pinot Noir? Final question; does this region have more than 300 years of wine making history? Putting all 3 answers together you may have guessed Chablis in France, or Burgundy…
Canada is a big country, with our wine grape growing areas on the limit of possibility, but at the edges of possibility is where you can make exciting wines, I’ve been told. In the Festival Tasting Room I spent many hours tasting wines from BC, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, and speaking with the winery principals in attendance. Below are the…
Who We Are Moraine Estate Winery is a family owned winery and vineyard overlooking Okanagan Lake, located just minutes from the City of Penticton. From its shelf-like location above striking clay bluffs, Moraine peers over the landscape and water. These iconic glaciated white clay cliffs comprise the breathtaking Naramata Bench and inspire the winery’s land-formed name. The winery owners are…
Video Guide Uncorks the Story of British Columbia Wines. Buy Now.
